ARIANE 62 IN-DEPTH

In upper position, above the dual launch structure, the spacecraft adapter is directly mounted on the dual launch structure upper interface (1,780 mm). In lower position under the dual launch structure, the spacecraft adapter is directly mounted on ULPM upper interface (1,780 mm).

The dual launch structure consists of a load bearing carbon structure, comprising a conical adapter fixed to the ULPM, a cylindrical shell enclosing the lower spacecraft and an upper truncated conical shell supporting the upper spacecraft. Three heights of Dual Launch Structure are available: 7.8 m, 8.8 m and 9.8 m.

The payload fairing, mounted on the nose of the launch vehicle, protects satellites on the launch pad and during the initial trajectory through the Earth’s atmosphere. The Ariane 6 fairing at 20-m high and with an externaldiameter of 5.4 m is particularly well-adapted to market developments. This enables Ariane 6 to launch all types of satellites now in service as well as new platforms.

Ariane 6 offers a range of standard off-the-shelf adapters and their associated equipment, compatible with most of the spacecraft platforms. These adapters belong to the family of the Arianespace adapters providing the same interface definition on the spacecraft side for all the launch vehicles.